After going 42-12 during the 1997 season and losing just one starter to graduation, the Mount Vernon Nazarene College had laid the foundation for a successful 1998 campaign.
Then, MVNC head coach Paul Swanson signed three outstanding recruits (Amanda Schumm, Andrea Rudd, and Deanna Stayman) to strengthen his roster. Schumm, a middle hitter from Parkway High School, led her team to back-to-back Division III state titles and was a two-time All-Ohioan. Rudd, a setter from Wilmington High School, was a four-year starter and a Division II Third Team All-Ohioan as a senior. Stayman, an outside hitter/backrow specialist from Shalom Christian Academy, led her team to a 25-1 record during her senior season.
Now, Swanson has rounded out his already strong roster with the addition of Darcee Hoberg. Hoberg, a 5-foot-10 middle hitter from River View High School, was a Division II First Team All-Ohioan as a senior. She was also named the District 5 Player of the Year in Division II, and was selected to the Muskingum Valley League First Team as a sophomore, junior, and senior.
In 1997, Hoberg led the Black Bears to sectional and district championships. She was selected as the most valuable player at the Newark Invitational, and she was named her team's most valuable player. she also led her team in attack percentage and serving efficiency.
"Darcee is a fine all-around player," said Swanson. "She has had a great competitive volleyball background at River View. We are looking forward to her contribution to our institution and to the volleyball program."
The Lady Cougars finished second in the Mid-Ohio Conference with a 14-2 mark in 1997. The team will look to challenge for the conference title this year in the inaugural season of the American Mideast Conference.
